Union boss vows to fight next election

A UNION boss has vowed to take on Hazel Blears by standing as an independent candidate at the next election. People's champion Alec McFadden, who runs a Salford unemployment centre, is considering standing to be the city's next MP.

A UNION boss has vowed to take on Hazel Blears by standing as an independent candidate at the next election.

People's champion Alec McFadden, who runs a Salford unemployment centre, is considering standing to be the city's next MP.

Alec has put himself forward as a possible contender for the job, claiming Hazel Blears no longer represents the people of Salford.

He threw his hat into the ring just hours after Ms Blears emerged from crunch talks with Labour delegates where a bid was made to oust her as their candidate.

Mr McFadden, boss of the Salford Unemployed and Community Resource Centre and president of the Merseyside TUC, would seek election as an independent.

He could pose a serious threat to Ms Blears due to his connections with numerous organisations in Salford.

Mr McFadden said: "A number of political parties and community activists have approached me because of concern that if Hazel Blears is the Labour candidate in the next General Election the seat could be lost to the BNP or the Conservatives.

"Because of that I am seriously considering standing as a socialist/community candidate."

Mr McFadden is a high-profile, anti-fascist campaigner and stood as a candidate for the No to EU Yes to Democracy group at the European elections this month.

The group is a coalition of trade unionists, political parties, and other groups.

Mr McFadden fought for compensation for staff who lost their jobs when The Accident Group, the compensation-claims company headed by the late Mark Langford, went bust.

But he admitted he would stand aside if a more suitable candidate came along.

He said: "I don't think that Hazel Blears has a very good record in Salford and I don't think it is a socialist one. She was in the government when they closed down three of the post offices here and when they were closing down maternity units across the country. She campaigned against the closure at Salford Royal but she was closing them down elsewhere.

"I want to see someone who can fight for the Salford people and I'm not saying I'm the only one to do that. I'll stand aside if someone better than me comes along."

Councillor Norman Owen, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Salford, and known locally as ‘Stormin Norman’ for his straight talking approach will stand against Ms Blears for a third time. He has a strong base of local support as his party has captured inner-city council seats.

Cllr Owen said: "I am the obvious choice to replace Blears. I have worked hard for this opportunity for 20 years"